Obama’s approval rating hits 50% for first time since 2013

President Barack Obama, buoyed by recent victories at the Supreme Court and signs of an improving economy, has notched an approval rating of 50 percent for the first time since 2013, a new CNN/ORC poll found.

According to the survey, precisely 50 percent of Americans
approve of the job he is doing has president, while 47 percent
disapprove. His approval is up 5 percent since May, when 45
percent approved and 52 percent disapproved.

The last time Obama reached the 50 percent threshold in CNN’s
poll was in May 2013, when he topped 53 percent.

The most recent poll was conducted between June 26-28, just after
the Supreme Court upheld a major part of the Affordable Care Act,
also known as Obamacare, and ruled that same-sex marriage was
constitutional. As the nation waited for the Court to rule, Obama
also delivered a highly-covered eulogy for the Charleston, South
Carolina shooting victims, which earned him positive marks for
addressing still-simmering racial tensions.

Another thing boosting Obama is the economy. For the first time
in six years, the CNN poll found that more than 50 percent of
Americans approve of his handling of the economy (52 percent, to
be exact). In May, the number was at 46 percent.

Still, other polls have yet to see the president hit the elusive
50 percent number. According to the Gallup poll, Obama is lingering in the
mid-40s with a 46 percent approval rating and a 50 percent
disapproval rating.

The CNN poll, meanwhile, still suggests there are tough issues
for Obama to address if he wants to stay in positive territory.
For example, 74 percent of Americans said racial discrimination
against blacks is either a very serious or somewhat serious
problem, a dramatic rise compared to 57 percent five years ago.

And despite warm feelings about Obama’s eulogy in Charleston, the
public remains unsatisfied with the way he has tackled gun
policy. Fifty-three percent of Americans disapprove of the way he
has handled this issue, while just 42 percent approve. On gun
control, specifically, the nation is split 49-49 percent on
whether laws against firearms should be stronger.

Whether or not Obama’s approval can climb past 50 percent remains
to be seen, with analysts suggesting in the past that his rating
could have a significant impact on the 2016 elections. If Obama
finds a comfortable spot near 50 percent, the Democrats may have
an easier time maintaining control of the White House. If he
starts to dip into the low 40s, the chances of a GOP takeover
increase.

Compared to his predecessors George W. Bush and Bill Clinton,
both of whom saw control of Congress flip towards the opposition
during their second terms, Obama’s performance ranks in the
middle. Around this point in his second term, Bush’s approval rating was at 32 percent, according
to Gallup. Clinton’s, meanwhile, was at 57 percent.